2009 Hollenbeck Christmas

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Whew! What a wonderful Christmas! We were lucky to have my Mom & Dad travel to Greenville all the way from Ankeny, Iowa...a mere 17 hours. They left Iowa in the beginnings of a blizzard and drove most of the way in the rain. Luckily we were able to give them 40-50 degree temperatures before they had to return to the remainder of a long Iowa winter. We all had such a fun time and got all we dreamed of and more. The boys are enjoying a wonderful train table (that later turns into a desk!) and Wii - among other things - from Papa and Mimi. New books continue to be a favorite of Dane's and Blake is always drawn to blocks, legos and cars. You will also see in the slideshow their love of the doctor's kit from their Great Aunt Gaygey (Peggy) and Great Uncle Joe. There will be no illness missed in the Hollenbeck house thanks to constant heart/tummy checks with the stethescope and temps taken with the thermometer!

Among so many wonderful gifts, I also received a Cricut machine! If you don't know what that is, all I have to say is...watch out, here come the crafts! I can't wait to kick it in full gear and start creating! Overall, we could not have asked for a better holiday. Matt had five days off, which is the best gift of all, and we were blessed with friends for our Christmas dinner. The Murphy family - Lee, Catie & Sullivan - joined us for a lovely, traditional meal and we were blessed to celebrate Christmas with them. The network of friends here in the residency program is just amazing. They are truly like family.

Enjoy the slideshow! At the end you will notice that my parents have taken a liking to the Wii they bought for the boys (and us). I have a feeling that will be one their next big purchases for themselves, and their neighbors will never see them because they will be playing Wii on the big screen in their basement.

Happy New Year! Here's to a happy and healthy 2010! (yikes! that means I graduated from graduate school 10 years ago!)

p.s. Those of you who know me well know that the gigantic Reese's Peanut Butter cups pictures in the slideshow next to the orange are being guarded with my life.

All Smiles!

We hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas with your friends & family! It was certainly all smiles at our house! I will post a slideshow very soon...

All Grown Up...

Didn't I tell you Blake's school picture was simply perfect? It sure does make me realize how much - and how fast - he is growing up.

p.s. I scanned this picture, so I think that it why there are a few funny-looking marks on his face.

Geography 101

I made my trip to the UPS store this morning for Christmas package dropoff. First, let me just say that I passed the post office and saw lines of cars and a packed parking lot. I was the only one in the UPS store, and they sell stamps and offer postal service prices if they are less than UPS. I may never venture into another chaotic mess at the post office again. A small victory for me.

Upon my arrival I encountered the same young girl I did last time during a delivery dropoff. I would guess her to be in her mid 20's? Super sweet and helpful, but limited memory capacity as demonstrated by her question when looking at the addresses in which the boxes were to be delivered. Months ago she looked at the delivery address I had already placed on a package and said "M-O, what is that?" With a look of dismay and feeling sort of speechless, I simply said "Missouri." She replied with an "Okay" and obviously felt no shame towards her lack of geography knowledge...an elementary geography fact at that. So...today I drop off a package to that same "unknown" place, MO. She asked me the SAME question! It is obvious she did not attend to my lesson months ago, and very obvious why she didn't absorb that information many years ago. I am almost certain that if I would have looked at her and said "Colorado" or some other state that began with a different letter than "M," she would have believed me and typed it in as the address. Am I wrong to think this is a sad situation?

Celebrating the Holidays...and Moms!

In the orthopedic residency program here in Greenville, there are 10 lovely wives who are also amazing mommies (and some mommies-to-be, too!). We try very hard to get out on our own once a month for Mom's Night Out (MNO) for a well-deserved dinner, conversation and relaxation. I always look forward to our next evening together as it is so therapeutic to not only be with other moms who are dealing with "mommy stuff," but also with ladies who are coping with the residency lifestyle. And, the bottom line is, they are all simply great friends.

Last night I hosted a Holiday MNO with great food, wine, conversation and lots of laughs! Matt graciously quarantined himself and the boys upstairs to allow us to be kid-free and enjoy time together. Thanks ladies for a fun evening and I am especially grateful for your friendship and support. We missed the other 4 gals last night, but we will see you in the new year for our next MNO!

Meeting Santa Wasn't So Jolly...

Matt and I headed to the mall early in the season for the boys' visit to Santa Claus this year. Matt has to work the remaining weekends until Christmas Day, so I scheduled this outing in advance to avoid having to make the trip on my own. I would have likely needed to be medicated! Plus, it isn't everyday that Matt can enjoy doing something fun as a family. It's funny...Dane has been saying Santa and "Ho Ho Ho" whenever he sees him or a picture of him, so I thought for sure he would be comfortable getting up close and personal. Let's just say this was the first of several pictures taken and Dane looks the most relaxed and happy here in comparison to the others! Blake, as you can see, could have cared less. He just hopped up there, said "Hi," and dashed to the toy basket afterwards. Makes for good memories, right?

Thanksgiving 2009

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We have been so blessed since moving to Greenville to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving, both last year and this year, with fellow residents. They are truly like family away from family. J.D., Danielle, and their son, Jeremiah, shared Thanksgiving dinner with us this year. They are from Alabama and had to stay in Greenville for J.D. to work. Just like us having to stay for Matt to work. So, it worked out perfect! I decided to make my first attempt at a turkey and I must say I did a pretty good job! Other than having to cook it longer that anticipated, it turned out moist and yummy. I made my favorite homemade yeast rolls and pumpkin roll dessert. Danielle brought her amazing mashed potatoes (and I mean that - so creamy!), field peas and chocolate pie. Field peas are new to Matt and me, but they are a common side dish in the south. They are so good! Although all of us missed our families, it was a great evening with friends. You will have to notice Jeremiah's turkey on his adorable outfit...so cute! Also, the artwork near the beginning of the slide show was made by the boys at their schools. The first one is by Dane, and the second with the turkey hand is by Blake. We hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving where you are.

Grandpa Steve & Great-Grandma Hollenbeck come to Greenville!

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We were lucky to have Matt's Dad and Grandmother here for a visit. Although they arrived in the rain and left in the rain, the weather while they were here was superb! Sunny & 60's! The boys had a great time (being spoiled!) playing with their Grandpa and Great-Grandmother, especially all of the time they had books read to them. We enjoyed showing off downtown Greenville and it was a pleasure to cook for them and enjoy good food in the comforts of home. It is always a treat to have visitors while we are here in Greenville, and this was truly a special one. Thanks, Steve, for embarking on the long drive from St. Louis to hang out with us for a few days!

School Pictures

I guess this is our lucky year because we were blessed with AMAZING school pictures of both boys. Blake's are on order, so when I receive them I will scan one and post it on the blog so you can see it. It is simply perfect. Dane's school used a local professional photographer who will donate part of the procedes back to his school. She does beautiful work and the three she captured of Dane don't reveal a huge smile, but that is okay because the third one really shows his personality! Below are directions on how to view them on her website. Enjoy!....we are also looking forward to our family picture proofs in the next week or so!

Go to website: http://www.kerriganphotography.com/
Click on "enter site" on home page (left box)
Click on "proofing" at bottom on next page
Enter password: dhollen
Click on each of the three pictures to be able to view them

SUPERMAN!

Have I mentioned that I love living in Greenville! What a beautiful day it is here today, and what's better than being able to go to Falls Park as a family for a nice long walk and playtime at one of the many playgounds! This is a rare occasion during this journey in residency, so when the opportunity presents itself we leave bright and early, and soak up all the time together. We were also lucky enough to run into my good friend, Catie's, parents at the park during their weekend visit in Greenville. They had brought their granddaughter, Sullivan, to the park while Lee and Catie were away. So, the boys had some great playtime with her...and we some great conversation with Catie's parents!

Although the few hours at Falls Park may seem brief, they sure are treasured. With Matt's hectic schedule of working 90+ hours per week, required readings of stacks of journals, presentations, and studying for an upcoming national exam it is these little bits of time that turn out to be very big moments. Not to mention that he does not miss a beat being a wonderful father and husband. I honestly don't know how he does it. I'm certain Matt should be wearing the Superman T-shirt along with Blake...

I'll Take That As A Compliment???

This afternoon after picking up Dane from Mother's Morning Out and Blake from school, I dragged my shingled self and the boys into the pediatrician's office for Dane's 2-year well visit and flu shots for both of them. I really like our pediatrician, so it's never a daunting task. Who doesn't love a pediatrician with 6 kids of his own and who looks like he just graduated from college! My guess is his youthful look is due to his wife raising those kiddos virtually on her own, but who am I to know ;)

I knew with both boys having busy days, no naps and Matt being on call tonight I would need to dose prophylactic Tylenol (for them...maybe something stronger for me!) and plan on a Chik-Fil-A stop on the way home. Really, I shouldn't complain. They truly do a great job...aside from the tearing up of a small square room where some absent-minded nurse left ALL the cabinet doors unlocked. The good news: Dane is healthy as a horse, developmentally on target, is growing like a weed, and continues to challenge our pediatrician by NOT displaying his wide array of social skills while in his office. Hence, the stated, "bye" when Dr. Earle walks in the room. Blake and Dane both tolerated shots well and recovered from hysterics quickly. So...as we are tying things up and preparing to leave, Dr. Earle leans down to tell Dane bye and says "well, you are still the same strong-willed little guy." Hmmmm....should I take that as a compliment?

In Need of a New Roof?

...because I have shingles. And not the ones you tack up on top of a house. As gross, weird and unusual as it sounds, it is true. I have occasional good moments, but for the most part I feel pretty crummy. Fever, sore throat, nausea, severe fatigue, headache...and not to mention the jabbing neural pain on my right side and the itchy, burning small rash. Ick! As usual, we always keep thing interesting in our house and never take the easy road.

Ortho Halloween Party 2009 (58 photos), by Beth Hollenbeck

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Dane's Bday & Halloween (109 photos), by Beth Hollenbeck

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
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Happy Birthday, Dane!

It always amazes me how time flies. I can't believe my littlest guy is two years old today! It just seems like yesterday that we met that sweet face...all 8lb. 12oz. of him! Dane continues to provide us with many laughs and smiles, as well as challenging situations. He is on the move constantly (proven by bumps, bruises and currently a black eye) and really prefers his way, or no way. The brotherly loves continues each day and is a joy to watch. We are now in the midst of constant talking - and repeating! - and the excitement of Dane wanting to do EVERYTHING by himself. He is such a blessing to us, and we can't wait for new skills and interests to emerge. I see karate or gymnastics in his near future...

7 Years...

Today Matt and I celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary. We spent a little time looking through our wedding album, and talking about all of the hills and valleys we have traveled. I don't have to mention all we have been through since walking down the aisle, but most seemed like enormous challenges at the time...all have turned out to be positive influences and blessings in our lives. Matt and I look forward to the many chapters left to be written, and are grateful for all of the love and support that has surrounded us by family and friends over the years.

Buddy Walk 2009

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Well, one of the things I have always worried about happening just happened to me. As I was uploading many pictures to this slideshow - many GREAT pictures - my camera shut down. When I turned it back on I found the scandisk card to be...empty. *sigh* I am just bummed. Luckily, a few uploaded, but none of the actual walk or of Chris Burke (Corky from Life Goes On) or of the boys on the firetruck or of the boys and me. Ugh. Not only did I lose the pictures from the Buddy Walk, but over 200 from the past few months. And, of course, none had been put on a disk or hard drive.

Let me move on. One a happy note, the walk was fantastic! Matt was on call and unable to go, but the boys and I had a great time. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and the setting at Furman University was just breathtaking. Pictures couldn't even capture the tree colors and landscape of that area in Greenville. Before the walk the boys enjoyed exploring and playing various games. The walk was so peaceful through campus, and we were honored with Chris Burke from Life Goes On singing with his band following the walk! The pictures that did not upload also showed the boys dancing, clapping and smiling ear to ear listening to the music. Again...ugh.

Enjoy what pictures were uploaded, and know that we had a great time celebrating Blake today and all individuals with Down syndrome! I just wish Matt and our cheering crowd that was at the walks in Kansas City could have been a part of it all.

Niven's Farm...Round 2

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We made our second trip to Niven's Apple Farm today! It is such a nice place with pumpkins, hayrides, an apple orchard, animals and great things to entertain little ones. We had a great time with our friends and enjoyed the playgroup field trip. Enjoy the slideshow and please know it won't be the last from our fall outings to orchards...we will be heading to Sky Top Orchard in the NC mountains next Friday! Wishing all of you a great weekend!

OTR/L...finally

I am happy to say I am officially a licensed occupational therapist again. After 8 long weeks of hearing "did you get this...can you send that...notarize this...fax this"...I FINALLY have both my national certification and South Carolina state license reinstated. And a very good lesson learned. NEVER let your license lapse or become inactive. No matter what.

So, I will begin my new job next Monday for a morning of orientation. Then my regular schedule of working Tuesday and Thursday will begin! I am truly excited and ready to start...ready to use my brain and do what I can to help children and their families. I am not thrilled to return to all of the paperwork, but at least I can sign my name Beth R. Hollenbeck, OTR/L without any question. Maybe I will send Ms. Williams at the SC Board of Occupational Therapy office a little note and sign my name and credentials in bright red ink just to show her how I much I appreciated her expediting my application for license reinstatement. *sarcasm*

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month!

October is a special month for our family for a lot of reasons. Our wedding anniversary is in the month of October, as well as Dane's birthday. Several family members and friends celebrate their birthdays during the month. It is hands down my favorite month because the weather begins to change, the leaves turn and the crispness, sights and smells of fall is upon us. Hence the reason I got married in October! Another very special reason I love October is that the entire month is set aside to celebrate Blake and Down syndrome! There are several ways to support Blake and individuals with Down syndrome in your community. Virtually every town has their own alliance that sponsors various events to benefit the Ds community. This time of year the Buddy Walk takes place on various dates nationwide. It is a great venue to show your support and raise money for education, research and awareness of Down Syndrome. It is so important to educate others about Down syndrome and the wonderful contributions those with Down syndrome have in our communities. We need to educate neighbors, co-workers, church members, and yes, even teachers. Individuals with Down syndrome have SO much to offer, and should be celebrated not just in the month of October, but everyday! I have listed some factoids below about Down Syndrome. All were taken from the National Down Syndrome Society website (http://www.ndss.org/)...

• One in every 733 live births is a child with Down syndrome resulting in approximately 5,000 births each year in the United States alone.
• The majority of children with Down syndrome (80%) are born to mothers UNDER the age of 35 because younger women have more children. They are not always born to "older" mothers.
• Children with Down syndrome have been included in regular academic classrooms in schools across the country. Increasingly, individuals with Down syndrome graduate from high school with regular diplomas, participate in post-secondary academic and college experience, and are employed at a variety of places in the community.
• Researchers are making great strides in identifying the genes on Chromosome 21 that cause the characteristics of Down syndrome. Many feel strongly that it will be possible to improve, correct or prevent many of the problems associated with Down syndrome in the future.
• Most individuals with Down syndrome have an IQ that falls in the mild to moderate range of intellectual disability, not the severe range as often assumed.

In the final bullet above NDSS uses the wording "intellectual disability." This is fairly new terminology that is replacing the horrific word, "retarded." The NDSS, local Down syndrome organizations, professionals working with people with Down syndrome, parents of children with Down syndrome, and those who have Down syndrome are working VERY hard to remove the word "retarded" from everyday language. Also know to us as the "R" word. I personally feel it is important for all of us to draw attention to those who use it, adults and children alike, and make them aware of it's hurtful, inappropriate nature. We can use those opportunities to educate those individuals and introduce the terminology "intellectual disability." Nothing is worse than having your child be called "retarded," but it also horrible to hear it used in slang.

And my favorite statement from NDSS..."Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care, and positive support from family, friends and the community enable people with Down syndrome to develop their full potential and lead fulfilling lives."

Thanks to all of you for supporting Blake and us in this journey. It has been a rollercoaster ride so far, which I am sure will not change. I have had to fight and advocate like crazy sometimes, but I have also had opportunities to sit back and smile and just enjoy watching him grow and learn like any other child. Isn't it unbelievable to think he will be 4 years old in four short months!

Duck, Duck, Toot!

Our little comedian, Dane, figured out a new game with the duck in the bathtub. You have to listen really close to hear the sound he is making. He thinks it is hysterical. Somehow he figured out how to push the base of the duck up against his tummy to make this noise. You will probably have to scroll down to the very bottom of the page to press pause on the music in order to hear the video.

Back in the Public Eye

My apologies for any confusion regarding our blog. Some situations arose that concerned me and pushed me to make our blog private. After discussing this with Matt and reevaluating, I have decided to make it public in order to not alienate any of our family and friends (which is the LAST thing we want to do!). The blog is so important to me and is my creative outlet that allows me to communicate information to all of you with ease...from fun things we discover and do to serious news that we want to share. Not to mention the pictures, slideshows and hopefully one day videos. That is if I can pull myself a little further out of the dark ages! In short, the blog makes me happy. And why would I not want to share that with all of you? So, thank you for your patience with my changes and for reading and enjoying our blog!

Our visit to Nivens Apple Farm

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We made our first visit to an apple farm and pumpkin patch this weekend. We went to Nivens Apple Farm in Moore, SC...just down the road from where my parents used to live. We enjoyed the farm, the animals, a hayride and a lot exploring. Our next stop will be at Sky Top Orchards in the North Carolina mountains. Probably two stops since I can't resist. Enjoy the pictures.

Pumpkin Butter Recipe

Taken from Martha Stewart Halloween special issue 2009.

1 sugar or pie pumpkin (about 2 lbs.), seeded, peeled, and cut into 2-inch chunks

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. grated nutmeg

1 tsp. ground ginger

2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pumpkin pieces in a single layer in a roasting pan, cover tightly with foil. Bake until very tender, about 45 minutes. Transfer pieces to a food processor, and process until smooth.

2. In a saucepan, cook puree over medium-low heat, stirring often, until very thick, about 25 minutes. Add remaining ingredients; cook until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Cool before serving. Pumpkin butter can be refrigerated up to 1 week in an airtight container.

In the previous post I mentioned my concern with the amount of lemon juice. After the butter cooled it tasted great, so I wouldn't alter the amount unless you find it too tart. My wonderful taste tasters at the Mom's Night Out last night loved it. It was also mentioned that it could be a bit sweeter, so maybe try adding a little refined sugar when it is in the saucepan over heat and taste along the way to achieve your desired sweetness. You may find it tastes great as is with the various spices and not want to add additional sugar. The pie pumpkin was easy to peel and seed since they are so small. I just peeled it with my vegetable peeler and cut the base off to clean out the inside and remove seeds. Then it was easy to just cut in strips and chop to 2-inch chunks. It may seem like a lot of steps, but I thought it was easy and did it one morning while Dane was enjoying Sesame Street. It makes about 2 cups, so it ends up being quite inexpensive when you compare the jars at the apple orchards and other specialty shops. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Soaking up the Season!

One of many pots on my front porch!

Only a few ingredients to mix in: lemon juice,

cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg & dark brown sugar

The pieces of pumpkin after roasting...

The finished product - YUM!

I just finished making my very first batch of Pumpkin Butter from scratch! It was very simple and isn't it always fun to scrape out all of the seeds and gunk from the inside of a pumpkin! I found the recipe in Martha Stewart's special edition magazine Halloween. So far it tastes great just dipping my finger into it. I can't wait to try it on an English muffin!

I also had an opporunity to do a switcheroo on all of my pots from the white, pinks and greens of summer to the warm colors of fall! I found this grass (that you see in the middle of the pot pictured above) that I personally have never seen before. It is so beautiful with green near the bottom of the grass changing to an aubergine color at the tips! Perfect for fall. And, of course, the mum. I have lots of those planted in various colors. I am hoping for rapid growth so I can take another picture of the pots all filled out very soon. It is great to know I will be able to enjoy them soooooo much longer here in South Carolina than in the midwest where the first freeze can hit as early as October.

***If you are interested in the pumpkin butter recipe, let me know and I will post it or email it to you. I will taste test later and alter it as needed. Not sure about the amount of lemon juice it calls for.

Welcome Fall...

I am not sure how or why I chose today to accomplish the blog facelift. Blake woke up bright and early with a fever. Dane woke up unable to keep his balance to walk. So, after a visit to the pediatrician and a possible diagnosis of post-virus vertigo for Dane, (I say possible because he didn't really know since his ears were free of infection) I found myself feeling creative. And with two boys feeling a little under the weather and preferring to just lay around, I had a little bit of free time to update the blog. It took all morning, though, since I had one to monitor for flu symptoms and runs to the potty, and one to monitor bouncing off of various furniture and walls. But...I'm done! Both pictures were taken inside our home. Mini pumpkins on the kitchen table and the napkins I will never use that say "Happy Fall, Y'all." Priceless. The adorable pictures of the boys on the side were taken by Blake's OT earlier in the year. There are many more pumpkins to be purchased...small and large, and all the Halloween deco will be spread about inside and out for the upcoming resident Halloween party that we LOVE to host! That will produce more pictures, of course. Hope the trees are changing and temperatures are dropping where you are! And I hope we can get out and about very soon illness-free since we aren't used to being trapped in our house, and none of us are enjoying it.

A Good Report!

Still no creativity here for a blog facelift. Actually I think I am pouring it all into my home as I display all of my fall and pumpkin decorations. Yes, it may be a bit early, but it is my favorite time of year so I am milking it for all it's worth! I guess I can't feel too silly when I see stores put their winter holiday decorations shortly after the 4th of July :)

I wanted to post some very exciting information about Blake! He had his hearing evaluation last week and it came back NORMAL in both ears! Hooray! He has always tested "fine," with a bit of concern with excess fluid and a flat tympanogram in one ear (don't think I can explain that well, so just know that isn't the best result). But, this time around both ears showed fantastic tympanograms and the "booth" hearing test went great! I think the audiologist was more excited than I was! So...we have been cleared by cardiology until adolescence and cleared by audiology unless we see something concerning with Blake's hearing. He has an upcoming ophthalmology appointment, which last year showed no concerns but we will continue to have him checked yearly unless told otherwise. He will not have a well-visit until next February when he turns 4 (yes, 4!). So, after his first year or so of life we have reached a point where visits to the doctor are diminishing. He sure is an amazing kiddo and we continue to be astonished at what he learns and shows us daily. I hope we stay status quo and don't add to the doctor visits, although I must remember he is a boy and will take risks as he should. Hopefully on the safe side!

Under Construction

Not the house, not me (although I probably should be!), but the blog. I am having a creativity block and cannot decide how to "decorate" the blog. Sometimes simple is good, but I will be back with new colors, pictures, themes, fonts, etc...

Girls' Weekend in Charleston!

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I was one lucky girl over the long Labor Day weekend! Matt graciously cared for the boys so I could travel to Charleston with my best friend, Mendy. She flew into Columbia, SC, on Friday and spent that night with us at our home in Greenville. We then left Saturday morning bound for Charleston where we stayed until Monday. There is just NO place like Charleston! We enjoyed walking, shopping, eating, lounging on the beach, and simply enjoying one another's company. Charleston is unique as it is surrounded by small islands, and each has something unique to offer. We weren't able to see them all, but we enjoyed a day on the beach at Folly Beach on James Island...some shopping on Mt. Pleasant...and a night out on Sullivan's Island. I am unable to explain in words the beauty, lifestyle and architecture of Charleston. I hope all of you get the opportunity to visit this quaint, Southern city during your lifetime!

*If you are wondering why there are several pictures of just random signs and buildings, I was practicing my new hobby of photography. Enjoy the slideshow!

Official Passenger of The Potty Train...

I am going to go out on a limb here and tell you that Blake is just shy is being 100% potty trained! We are in the middle of our second week since the donning of Elmo undies and Blake is doing FANTASTIC! I won't share all of the glorious details, but I will tell you that Blake is able to communicate through words that he needs to go potty and when he has gone on the potty. His only accidents occur when he goes a teeny tiny bit, stops and tells me "pee" or "potty." He has even gone #2 ONLY in the potty! I hope I haven't jinxed anything, but I had to tell you Blake's big success and that we are all so proud of him...even Dane who claps and yells "yay!" when Blake goes potty. I truly think Dane is just about ready, too, because he is now telling me when he goes potty in his diaper. Being diaper-free was once just a dream! There is no turning back now on this potty train. The final stop will be staying dry overnight...

Back in the Saddle!

I sure do feel blessed. I have a job! I started the search process last weekend, made a call on Monday, had an interview Wednesday and was offered the job today! Whew! I honestly feel like I need to pinch myself because this particular therapy clinic agreed to the days and hours I asked for, which are quite limited. I will be working Tuesday and Thursday from 9am-1:30pm. I will be able to drop off both boys at school and pick them up in a timely manner with I'm sure a little stress, but nothing I can't handle.

I will be working at a small pediatric clinic called Kidbuilders who provides OT, PT and Speech therapy. I say small because it is only six years old, but the growth has been continuous and somewhat overwhelming for the owner. I will work with one other OT and be doing mostly evaluations for babies ages birth to three, along with some school-aged children. I will also have two OT assistants with me (hooray!). I am also able to add hours as it is convienent for me, which is great because Dane is on a wait list for an additional day at his school...so when that opens I can add more hours at work!

I truly didn't think I would be headed back into the workforce this quickly, but I am thrilled and ready for the stimualtion and challenges. I don't have to give up my precious time with Blake and Dane, and they also will continue their experiences at school which I value greatly and think is a crucial component to their routine and development. As for now I am just waiting for the state of SC to send me my OT license. I hope to start in a couple of weeks!

Hi-Ho Hi-Ho...It's Off To Work I (Hopefully) Go!

Well, the time has come. I am attempting to venture back into the workforce. It's funny...you work really hard to get your bachelor's degree, extra hard to get your master's degree, then the "authorities" treat you like a preschooler when it comes to obtaining your OT license to re-enter the job market. I have worked non-stop since 10:00am today (it is now almost 9:00pm) trying to fill out paperwork, dig for old paperwork, talk on the phone in a happy, enthusiastic tone to inquire about an OT position that is available, work on and shine up a resume, and complete a cover letter. Then, finally, FINALLY, send the e-mail with resume attached and stuff a large envelope full off paperwork (and lots of money, of course) to the state of South Carolina. That is only after I beat the computer into oblivion because the resume template wasn't working out thanks to all the columns, rows, tabs, etc. And after my brain began to hurt from remembering dates, accomplishments, etc. over the past nine years!

But, I did it. And I am excited about going back to work. I will be even more excited when I find a lovely place of employment who is head over heels for me and my desire to work part-time and the hours from 9am-1:30pm so I can deal with my boys' school schedules. I am determined to find it. It may not be pediatrics, but I will be practicing OT very soon. And not overtime (I already do that being a mom!)...Occupational Therapy.

Any prayers would be appreciated in this job market...and, of course, with my specific requirements :)

Art Display

As many of you know I love to be creative and crafty, but I also love to shop! So, I often attempt to duplicate something I like that it is too pricey. This time it worked out pretty well! I found a cute display frame at Wisteria.com (check that site out if you haven't!), but didn't want to fork over the amount of money they wanted me to. Plus, it seemed pretty simple. So...I ventured into Hobby Lobby and as luck would have it I found a 16 x 20 black frame on clearance because of a few nicks (I covered them with black marker and you can't even find them!). Only $10! The non-nicked ones were $40 and up. I already had twine and miniature clothespins. I guess that is the OT in me...always thinking about fine motor :) So, I proceeded to put this art display together with all you see above. I stapled the twine to the back, then hammered the staple so the twine would not slip. Then I attached the art with the clothespins. It was finished and ready to go before an episode of Jack's Big Music Show was over. I am going to hang it in Dane's room to display the many wonderful art projects he does at Mother's Morning Out, and the ones we do here at home. On a side note, I have transformed Dane's room into a "big boy" room meaning the rocking chair has been moved out and toys and such have been rearranged to accommodate the almost 2-year old. Now I am enjoying the rocking chair in my sun room! I will have to make an art display frame for Blake's room. Now my refrigerator is nice and neat, but I can still admire the boys' cute creations! Plus, they have something fun hanging on the wall in their room that they can really call their own...

Preparing for Company...and a Trip!

A very exciting thing is about to happen. My best friend, Mendy, is coming to visit me (okay, I guess Matt and the boys, too)! Not many people come to visit us, so this is extra special! We became friends in preschool, remained friends through all of school graduating high school together. We never lost touch in college or during many different moves across country. We still talk more than once a week even though I live in South Carolina, she is Kansas. The times we spend together are filled with long talks over coffee, various shopping excursions, and deep discussions over yummy food. But, truly we are the kind of friends that could sit in one spot and talk for hours and have more fun that most people.

Not only is Mendy coming to visit me (us), while she is here we are taking a road trip to Charleston! Just her and I. Woo Hoo...girls' weekend! I am so excited to share with her my love of the southern culture and charm, and of course, the amazing landscape. She will get to spend time in the upstate (mountains), travel through the midlands, then spend time exploring in the low country (Charleston). And, luckily, so will I! She doesn't arrive until September 4th, but as you can see I am already excited and preparing for her visit. It is going to be such a treat to have her here, and even better, I will be able to celebrate my birthday with her in the beautiful city of Charleston! Stories and pictures to follow...

Back to School!

Today was Blake's first day of school! The first three days are half days, so we are already home and Blake is sound asleep after having a very busy (and early) morning. We are so blessed with a very social boy who tolerates changes and new environments very well. And one who loves to learn and go to school. He was a bit impatient as we realized there was no carpool line for drop off..even though the assistant principal made it VERY clear there would be, which meant we had to wait in a long line to sign in as visitors to get to his classroom. After a fall on the sidewalk resulting in a skinned-up knee and a few pouts for being made to wait, Blake was excited to put his things in his cubby, hang up his backpack and get started! I, too, had a few pouts for not being prepared to carry many things and Dane, wait in a line and walk Blake to class. I was the frustrated parent who didn't have a camera or make a fuss over the first day. I just wanted the carpool line and our usual routine!!! I'm sure the other parents thought several things about me, and probably not good things. So, after driving, waiting, dropping off and driving again - all of which totaled an hour and a half, Dane and I arrived at Falls Park for our Wednesday walk with friends :)

Oh, if only it was a happy ending. Blake had a great day, which is the PERFECT ending, but the carpool line (yet again) made me somewhat of a crazed maniac who wanted to jump out and knock on peoples' car windows to share my advice. Advice that I thought was VERY obvious and easy, and advice that was told to them at open house. There are signs, painted diamonds on the road directing you, and an obvious road/drive set-up that indicated drive here, don't drive there. So...after people driving through the grass of the school yard (thanks to those who did NOT follow directions), people giving others a few choices words and gestures, and a wait in a line for 45 minutes - yes, 45 minutes, I picked up my son. But, wait. I had to pull into a parking space to buckle him into his car seat because the teacher can put him in a seat, but not buckle him this year. Thanks to the school's attorney, I'm sure.

It must seem like all I have are complaints. I don't. Blake's new school is wonderful, his teachers are great, and I adore the assistant principal who is a yankee and has a great sense of humor. He means business. Which means since he is not from the south, he tells it like it is and there is no sugar-coating. That is a good quality when dealing with a bunch of parents of 3 and 4 year old children. I am excited for the year and to see Blake grow, learn and develop! I am also excited to watch some parents grow, learn and develop as they master the carpool line :) Enjoy the pictures on the new header of the blog page. He looked quite dapper for his big first day!

Fun Times at the Park!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

What a great end to a fun weekend! Matt was home all weekend and we packed it full of fun things we did as a family. My apologies for another slideshow. I love photography, so it is a good thing I start taking photography classes this Fall! I guess the bad thing is...more slideshows :) My good friend, Catie, shared her discovery of this wonderful new park. It is so lovely with gardens, waterfalls, state of the art playground equipment and a walking trail. Greenville just gets better and better! The boys enjoyed their time at the park on a hot Carolina day, and we ALL napped when we got home...

Water Play!

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We bought a new sprinkler that the boys didn't love, but they had a great time playing in the pool, water table and the bucket I filled up with water! Thank goodness they are easily entertained! We have had a great weekend so far with Matt home for the entire weekend! We went to the farmer's market this morning and for a walk downtown. Then we had our dose of greasy goodness at Five Guys followed by the water play documented above! Matt just finished prepping steaks for us tonight that we will enjoy with a nice bottle of wine. Tomorrow we have plans to visit a new park and pack a picnic. All as a family! These moments are cherished especially during Matt's demanding second year schedule. I am soaking it all up since Matt leaves this Friday for five days...boo.

CLEAN vs. DIRTY: No Two Kids Are Alike

CLEAN vs.

DIRTY!!!!! Or maybe I should have titled this entry as Dane vs. the pancake syrup with Blake and Mommy as innocent bystanders! The boys both had the same meal. Notice spic 'n span Blake, and of course, you can't miss what Dane has done. Dane has a habit of wiping various food products into his hair while he eats. Not only does he wipe it in his hair, but he mushes it all around and pulls up on his hair. He created this masterpiece of a 'do all on his own. I'm not sure he is even aware that he does it. Typically it is syrup, yogurt, pudding, and a variety of condiments. Nothing too chunky, but "products" that do enough damage by creating sticky, icky, crunchy hair that has to be scrubbed in the bathtub. I finally decided to document this silly behavior of Dane's in a few pictures and share it with all of you. Hopefully this isn't the precursor to twisting his hair since that is what his Daddy does to this day...sorry Matt.

Legal Graffiti

Sometimes it is a good thing when you misplace toys you have purchased or that have been purchased as a gift. These tub crayons have been MIA so long that I can't recall if I bought them or if they were given as a gift. Either way, I found them and you would have thought the boys were opening up gifts on Christmas morning! They had a great time drawing all over the tub and it was even fun to use the washcloths to wipe it off. I'm sure the joy of cleaning up will wear off very soon. I guess there was a positive side to cleaning out and organizing all of the closets! Who knows what other treasures I will find...

How Appropriate...

I decided to make one of our favorite go-to pasta dishes tonight...Spicy Shrimp Pasta. Yum! It calls for white wine in the sauce. I usually have some Yellow Tail on hand, but only had one bottle of white left. A good friend gave this to me for a gift and I have been saving it. For what, I'm not sure. I had to open it tonight for the pasta recipe and then quickly realized how appropriate it was as I was cooking a dish you couldn't walk away from, throwing (literally) food at the boys for dinner...all as Matt arrived home late, as usual. So, by then I was a MAD HOUSEWIFE as the bottle says. I guess I was saving it for the perfect occasion!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Here is a glimpse of our road trip! We traveled through 7 states and clocked over 2200 miles! The slideshow shares all of our fun times with family and friends (except I didn't get pictures at the wedding - darn!) including aunts, uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents and my cousin's brand new baby boy! And it shows a lot of the fun places we visited. It was too cold to go swimming at the pool or water parks except for our very last day in St. Louis where we were able to take a dip in Grandpa and Grandma Hollenbeck's pool. Enjoy!

We Are Home!!!

We arrived home this morning at 7:30am! For some reason the drive seemed longer this time, but the boys did FANTASTIC! They watched a movie for the first two hours, then slept the remaining 8 1/2 hours without a peep. I had nothing to complain about except for the 45-minute delay in Nashville for construction and the fog from Chattanooga to Greenville. I did have a moment in between Atlanta and home where I thought I could not go any further and just wanted to close my eyes, but when there is only two hours left, home was way to close to stop. The boys were so thrilled to be back home and see Matt. Blake just kept saying "Daddy, Daddy" over and over when he saw him. As for now, I need sleep!!! An update with a picture slideshow will be done as soon as I am a little more coherent!

The Good Stuff...

As I sit here and reflect on my travels over the past 2 weeks I realize that I have been blessed to spend time with many family members and friends, see a friend get married, drink my favorite (and sorely missed) coffee, explore new parks with my boys, cook and bake in my parents' kitchen, and right before I leave I will get to see my cousin's new baby boy who was born yesterday. In life people often think of material things as the good stuff, and of course I am guilty of that, too. I haven't been shopping for new things, eating at fancy restaurants, or spending time at some fancy resort during this 2-week vacation. I've just been enjoying the above mentioned simple things...the good stuff, in my opinion.

I get to spend one more day and night in Des Moines after tonight. Then a quick stop in Kansas City - and I mean quick - like one hour. Then onto St. Louis where we will stay until our departure on Sunday night. Traveling so many miles in a car with two children may seem daunting to most, but it sure has been a pleasure for me! I am in hopes it will be an annual adventure for the boys and me!

Sweet Corn Country!

We have made the trek three hours north of Kansas City and have landed in Des Moines, Iowa! The boys and I are taking over my parents home and the first thing on the agenda is to stalk local farmers to get our hands on that mouth-watering Iowa sweet corn! Iowa is such a pleasant, beautiful place. The community my parents live in is so peaceful - and the land is so flat. I forgot how flat! We are here for 6 days, then we will drive to St. Louis for a short overnight stay. The following evening we will begin the overnight drive to Greenville. 1100 miles thus far! Blake and Dane are enjoying their adventure!

Enjoying The City of Fountains!

We are in Kansas City! We arrived Wednesday evening and have been enjoying time with family and friends. The weather is absolutely perfect and all we have done is relax. Tonight we get to have dinner with all of my family...tomorrow I am going to a friend's wedding...Sunday I am having coffee and breakfast with my best friend before heading to Des Moines. It is my pleasure to blog just this. No illness, injury or anything out of the ordinary has occurred thus far. Here is hoping that is stays that way!

Meet Me in St. Louis!

The boys and I arrived safely in St. Louis this morning at 6:45am! We left Greenville at 9pm last night and stopped once in Clarksville, TN, for gas and did not stop again. Not once. I had a few moments of sleepiness, but nothing that eating sunflower seeds wouldn't cure. I hated to drive through Chattanooga, Nashville and parts of Kentucky in the dark. It is such beautiful scenery! I guess the only eventful thing that happened during the drive was when I realized when it was too late that my Garmin was taking me through the backwoods of Western Kentucky and up the far Eastern side of Missouri north towards St. Louis versus taking me north through Illinois and through downtown St. Louis. I had to navigate very dark, foggy conditions on mostly 2-lane roads and several large bridges that I have never driven on before. Being the only one on those roads around 3am was a little unsettling and I was thrilled to see the small southeast Missouri town of Sikeston and the signs for "throwed rolls," which is where I finally regained my confidence and set back in my seat to relax.

I MUST share that my two sweet boys were ROCKSTARS! Blake was probably lucky to sleep 2 hours, Dane 6 hours - keeping in mind they usually sleep 10-11 hours every night. Neither one cried, fussed, complained or showed any other signs of discomfort or frustration during the entire trip. We used the DVD player for 45 minutes of the whole trip, using music to entertain for the remainder. I was so grateful for their patience and so proud of them for being such troopers! I hope the return trip goes as well.

So far we have enjoyed time with Grandma Sonya and have missed Papa Steve while he is away for business. The boys adore their three dogs and have giggled and played with them the whole time. The boys and I had dinner with great friends from college tonight and enjoyed hearing about what is new in their lives and realizing how much we miss being close to them. I guess I should add that my children always keep me on my toes and once they see me relax they usually have a surprise for me. Well, this time Dane decided to wake up from his nap this afternoon with stridor and a barky cough...a.k.a. CROUP! So, we have also been to urgent care since we arrived and he is now on a steriod treatment. I am crossing fingers that Blake stays healthy and especially clear of croup. That is all for now! We will keep in touch during our travels over the next two weeks!

Homeward Bound!

The boys and I are gearing up for a road trip! When I say boys, I mean only Blake and Dane. Poor Matt and his chaotic schedule. When will HE ever catch a break?!?! I guess he is catching a little break having us out of the house for 2 weeks!

So...in three short days we pull out of Greenville headed back to the Midwest for some much-needed time with family and friends. It will be so wonderful to travel leisurely and have basically no agenda for two weeks. So, where are we going? Well, our first stop is in St. Louis where Matt's Dad and Step-Mom live and where many college and graduate school friends have settled. I am lucky to have outings scheduled with many of them, and will enjoy my time relaxing at the Hollenbeck house and pool! After our three day stay in St. Louis we will make the 4-hour drive to Kansas City. It will seem so quick after the 10-hour drive from Greenville to St. Louis! There we will get to see Aunts, Uncles, cousins, Grandparents, Great-grandparents and friends, many who have not seen Dane since he was an infant! I will also get to attend my friend's wedding in Topeka, KS, which means so much since I was worried I would not be able to living so far away. Following our 4-day stay in K.C., we will be off to Des Moines, Iowa! My parents live there and we will call it home for one week. We are excited to spend lots of quality time doing fun things like going to the zoo, water parks, shopping, visiting friends, and simply playing on the floor and reading books. We will then make the trek back to St. Louis for a short stay, then travel the 10 hours from there to Greenville to get ready for Blake to start school and for me to start itching for Fall to arrive!

So, off we go! I hope to return with fun footage of our road trip adventures...

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Blake's OT is an emerging photographer! She shared these beautiful photos with us after taking them one evening babysitting the boys. The slideshow screen does not do them justice because it is so small, but I wanted to share them all. Enjoy!

Wishing You A Happy & Safe 4th of July!

One Down, Four To Go!

In amazement I am writing this entry to say Matt has finished his first year of residency. I can't even believe how quickly it passed! Last Saturday evening we attended the annual ortho picnic, which is an event that welcomes the new incoming residents and allows us all to hang out in a casual environment to eat, drink and get to know one another. It was bittersweet to not be one of the newbies because we also had to say goodbye to the wonderful residents and their families that "graduate" to either jobs or fellowships.

So, our first year was wonderful to say the least. We absolutely love Greenville and all that this part of the country has to offer. Aside from the headaches of home ownership (in the particular house we purchased) the transition was smooth, and especially for me since I had a circle of friends immediately that made starting anew that much easier. We enjoyed get togethers around town, apple picking in the mountains, Thanksgiving with friends, welcomed family for the Christmas holiday and for Dane's birthday. Blake transitioned to the public school district - with flying colors, I might add! - and Dane to a Mother's Morning Out program. I enjoyed many, many playdates with friends, and walks, lunches, dinners and coffees when the time would allow. We were blessed with a family vacation to Hilton Head Island with my parents and Matt's parents, and boy did we need it! To be truthful, I do not have one complaint about matching here in Greenville (aside from being away from family). Matt seems to enjoy the program, although he works so hard and is gone so much that I don't hear very much about it! Lucky..Blessed, whatever it may be. We are thankful for our experiences this first year in residency! Here are just a few "Greenville things" that stand out for me that make me appreciate where life has taken us...

~Hearing the monkeys from the zoo "talk" during our walks or playtime in Cleveland Park

~Seeing the mountains as I top I-385 at Pleasantburg Drive on our drive into downtown - I smile every single time!

~Any walk or time spent at Falls Park on the Reedy River

~The Christmas Parade downtown...and all the other festivals, the market, the bands, etc. that happens on Main Street

~The Children's Garden

~Hughes Library and all the wonderful things it has to offer for my children..for free!

~The Greenville School District and Kidnetics for all they have done from Blake

~The "small town" feel in a town that is big enough for everything you need

~Being close to friends I met years ago when I lived in Florence, SC

~A short drive to the mountains...4 hours to the beach

~The shops at the West End and Downtown, especially Invitations on Main and Kudzu...yes, I still love to shop!

~The Southern culture

~And, of course, sweet tea :)

I know I am forgetting a lot, but those are a few things that stand out. Lucky for Matt he begins the last 4 years tomorrow morning doing ONLY orthopaedics, which for that he is grateful. However, he is also beginning a very tough year of being on call A LOT and a dreadful Emergency Room rotation coming next Spring. So, it is going to be a very long year for all of us, but with all the aforementioned things you can see we will make it through with a lot of support and encouragement! Still, a little prayer our way never hurts! Here we go with year #2. You know we'll keep you updated and informed of all the good, the bad and the ugly!

Thanks to all our friends and family from afar who have been so supportive this past year. We couldn't have made it through without all of your encouragement and love!

Just Another Saturday in Greenville...

Boy, we have it rough here in Greenville (wink, wink)! Saturdays from Spring to Fall are extra special because of the downtown market. They have everything from produce to fresh flowers to fresh seafood brought up from Charleston! And you can't forget the yummy iced lattes...the REAL reason I get up and out the door early to get downtown! Matt had the entire weekend off, so we enjoyed a family run at Falls Park, then took our time milling through the market until the heat got unbearable. Luckily, down the street is the interactive fountain! Another fun experience within Falls Park and downtown! The boys had a BLAST running from fountain to fountain, which they have enjoyed several times this summer hence their wardrobe being swim trunks from the moment we walked out the door. Words can't describe how unique and enjoyable Greenville's downtown is!

Roast: Round One

The ladies of the program

including the resident wives and 2 residents

Drs. Barden & Hollenbeck - both
1st years, soon to be starting their 2nd year

Me, Catie & Liz

Me & Lauren

These lovely ladies are my family away from family!

Last Saturday night we had the privilege to attend the Orthopaedic Surgery Resident Roast. As we said good-bye to the 5th year residents, we also had an opportunity to meet the new residents who will start their journey very soon. We had a wonderful night out and a babysitter :) All of the attending physicians and residents were roasted, so we all enjoyed a lot of laughs! We had a lovely dinner and an even lovelier time being with our friends without our kiddos! Following dinner, we even had time to meet everyone out at a very chic jazz bar in Greenville. What to do with ourselves!!

On a personal note, I don't what I would do without all of the ladies pictured above (I don't know what the guys would do either!). We do a great job supporting one another and keeping each other sane and happy. And nothing could be more fun than creating a new circle of friends, and these for sure will be life-long. We continue to feel blessed to have matched here in Greenville for residency and look forward to our next fun outing with everyone this coming weekend at the annual picnic!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to such a great Daddy! He got to spend most of the day at home enjoying family time...only a few hours at the hospital, which was so nice. Wishing all the Dad's in our lives a wonderful day! Thanks for all you do!

p.s. the boys are shirtless because it was pasta night :)